Re: Poll: How important is the notion of "self defense" in your aikido training?

I knew I'd read this somewhere . . .

Quote:

Chida, like most of the top sensei, thought self defence a little ridiculous. They were interested in principles, abstract secrets of the human body that could only be studied and learnt through " pure" aikido training. Of course in any "self defence" type situation these same sensei would be lethal . . .

I think you can validly practice Aikido to study the principles involved without it leading to degeneration or dancing.